So I had the gearbox service done at the dealer today...

[fbkane]

Well according to the mechanic that worked on my car told me that the gearbox only had around 1-1.5 litre of oil in it and that is not including the oil inside torque convertor.

He also said that they don't change the oil inside the torque convertor as it's "unnecessary'".

After coming home, I searched around forums and started getting a bit worried now. Did I just get done by these guys?

They charged me in total of £338 for gearbox oil and filter change plus a software update for the gearbox.

The car had gearbox service done at 35000 miles and the 2nd time today at 89000 miles.

The dealership is the Mercedes Benz Temple Fortune on Finchley Road.

Any advice on what I should do? The car has no warranty by the way. Thanks...

 

[GordonTarling]

Most indys would have charged under £200 for that work and that would probably have included flushing the torque converter through. As to what you can do - nothing now that it's been done and you've paid.

 

[neilrr]

Any advice on what I should do?

Find a trustworthy independent MB specialist. There are several in N. London, use the search button on here.

Not counting the ATF still in the TC, why was there only 1.5 litres in it? That sounds expensively low.

 

[fbkane]

Right I see thanks. Could you guys recommend any indy specialist that doesnt actually try to tuck me over. Im going to do a search on forums now thanks but also appreciate any recommendations closer in or to North London and Hertfordshire.

Edit: Also guys do I have to do the gearbox service again now as they have only changed half of the oil?

 

[jotter22]

Right I see thanks. Could you guys recommend any indy specialist that doesnt actually try to tuck me over. Im going to do a search on forums now thanks but also appreciate any recommendations closer in or to North London and Hertfordshire.

Edit: Also guys do I have to do the gearbox service again now as they have only changed half of the oil?

Try Terry at Wayne gates MB he is on here and a more honest guy you could not wish to meet and based in Harrow.
I booked some work with Terry recommended by my local (Kent) indy only to be told by Terry it was not needed so saved me £165.......Faith in human nature recovered

Wayne Gates Specializing in Mercedes Benz

Tony.

 

[markmifsud]

+1 for the above

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members/wg-m-b.html

 

[fbkane]

Thanks guys I will give Wayne Gates a try...

By the way should I get the ATF service done again these days or can it wait? I do high mileages (30-40k yearly) at the same time I am looking to keep this car for a long time (5+ years at least)...

 

[SteveFromAvantgarde]

The TC has a drain bung on it so its easy to change the oil there. The whole 7G box takes around 9.5L of ATF and if it had as little as 1.5L I dont see how it would drive!

£338 is also a fair whack for half a job.

+1 for Terry at Wayne Gates, a very good Indie.

 

[AMGeed]

^ Run the car over to Terry and get his opinion. Based in Harrow.

Wayne Gates Specializing in Mercedes Benz

 

[KeithJG]

If it helps at all .... i had my ATF changed because it was changed at 47000 according to the service book and now at 97000 it was stuck in a gear and had to turn off and restart but was ok after that....so changed it was and it has driven ok since...

The oil was changed at Steve Garlick Maidstone an MB specialist and only charged £155 including everything, new sump gasket filter and new alloy bolts apparently a must on the 7g....

Not all torque converters have drain plugs and mine hasn`t either....and i know it hasn`t as i was looking for the bolt as Steve turned the engine over 4 or 5 times.

This price included STAR and whatever it needed to check or reset things etc.

So i still have the same older oil in the converter mixed with new oil in the box ...it was not very dirty anyway.....but although owners say there 7g box is awfull and jerky mine 7g is completely the opposite and i never know what gear its in as it is so smooth whether on kick down and enthusiastic driving or just dribbling around in town.